You can check fares & train times at www.eurostar.com. For the cheapest fares, book well in advance - usually a maximum of 6 months ahead - and avoid busy Friday or Sunday afternoon trains when there are fewer cheap seats.
Book early to get the best pricesDon't worry if you're still deciding on the exact dates. With Eurostar, you can book tickets up to 120 days in advance and the earlier you book, the better value the fares.
Like airlines, Eurostar uses dynamic pricing: the prevailing fare level depends on demand. For every departure, the train operator decides how many seats it wants to sell at each price level, and when the cheaper tickets sell out, the price rises.
At Eurostar we set ourselves high standards of train punctuality and make every effort to get passengers to their destination on time. Our 2023 target is to ensure: 76% of trains arrive within 5 minutes of their scheduled arrival time. 86% of trains arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time.
Book your Eurostar tickets earlyAccording to the rail advice website The Man in Seat 61, the cheapest tickets can be found between midday Monday and midnight Thursday, and between midday and midnight on Saturday.
It depends which trains and what times you are looking at - Eurostar is very expensive in times of high demand because the cheap tickets get snapped up but can be relatively affordable if you choose less popular times. Sad Sprinter said: I kind of wish it was nationalised and subsidised to have cheaper fares.
The check-in procedure for Eurostar train journeys takes roughly 20 minutes from start to finish, and depending on the class you're travelling in, it's recommended that you arrive at least 90 minutes before your Eurostar train leaves.
What's the major difference between first class and second class seating on the Eurostar? The first class seats are more comfortable and there is more room between them. Unless money is no object, don't bother with the first class on Eurostar. You'd have to look pretty hard to tell the two classes apart.
Think of the Eurostar train as an inter-country commuter service... so at peak commuting hours (early morning, late afternoon, early evening) it's expensive and busy.
Train tickets for the Eurostar usually go on sale 330 days before the date of travel. Book in advance to make sure you get the cheapest options as those tend to sell out, leaving only the more expensive tickets.
Can I take food on board? Absolutely. You can bring your own food on European and London routes. And unlike in the sky, we won't restrict you with stifling rules on liquids.
But, whichever station you're catching the Eurostar from, you'll need to make sure you've printed your tickets at least 45 minutes beforehand - this gives you time to check in and board the train. You'll also need your ID to check in.
A cut in the number of border officials means it takes nearly 30% longer to process passengers leaving St Pancras International than before Brexit and the pandemic. Also contributing to the delay is the post-Brexit requirement to stamp UK passports for outbound travel.